I come from Addis Ababa in Ethiopia. Addis Ababa means "New Flower," and when I think of my homeland, I remember a good childhood and many beautiful moments.
In July 2019, I came to Switzerland. The first few weeks were not easy, as I lived with eight women in one room in an asylum center, and the uncertainty about my future overwhelmed me. After five months, I was allowed to move in with a host family. There, I was able to breathe a sigh of relief and find peace.
My positive asylum decision in February 2024 finally gave me the feeling that I could start anew. I often say: In that moment, I was reborn.
Many people supported me on my journey and gave me the opportunity to work in various places and gain initial experience in sewing workshops. For that, I am very grateful.
During my time at the Mazay Café, I was eventually asked if I was interested in an internship at KoKoTé in the sewing workshop at the Kaiserhaus. When I first visited the workshop, I was overwhelmed. I knew immediately: This is where I want to work.
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Sewing brings me great joy. I love working with fabrics and creating something beautiful with my hands. I also enjoy being creative in my free time. In my childhood, I knitted and crocheted; today, I sew. Besides that, I spend a lot of time in the garden, enjoy cooking, and go for walks in the forest. On weekends, I often hike in the mountains with my hiking groups.
But I am especially proud that I have learned to cycle and swim in recent years. My next big goal is to start and complete training as a textile practitioner in the coming year, as part of the women's empowerment project of the Association Equilibre.
I am very happy to be part of the KoKoTé team and to be getting closer to my dream step by step.
